Heater for vehicle engines



Dec. 28, 1954 T. l.. CARPENTER 2,698,374

HEATER EOE VEHICLE ENGINES Filed Aug. 16, 1952 5 46 e2 D 30 32 42 4 48 73 s@ @l a Imnentor QACY L. CARPENTER Gttomeg `viscous and offers vthe engine. Th1s 1s so 1n many sections of our country form of power.

removal and replacement of only a single bolt.

HEATER FOR VEHICLE ENGINES Tracy ll.. Carpenter, Oceanside, N. Y.

Application August 16, 1952, Serial No. 304,700

6 Claims. (Cl. 219-38) This invention relates to a heater for vehicle engines, and, more particularly, to an electric heater for warming an engine and its lubricant prior to starting of the engine.

One object of the present invention is to improve the electric heaters disclosed in my copending application, Ser. No. 226,804, iiled May 17, 1951, now abandoned.

The particular embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, comprises generally, a casing adapted to engage the side wall ofV a crankcase, a heating element in the casing, a thermostat also in the casing, wiring connecting the heating element through the thermostat to a source of electric power, and a bracket for resiliently holding the casing against the crankcase to transmit heat therethrough.

As is well known, a major part of the vehicle engine wear occurs while starting a cold engine and continues until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to substantially eliminate this period of cold starting.

Especially in the winter season when the temperatures are low, the vehicle engine lubricating oil becomes more greater resistance to moving parts of even though the vehicle be housed in a garage. Thus,

-it=is another object of the present invention to provide an electric heater which maybe axed to the crankcase of a vehicle engine to warm the lubricating oil contained in the crankcase.

During cold starting it is often necessary to run the .vehicle engine for a period of time at a standstill, that is without taking power ott of the engine, as the engine cannot overcome internal friction and also deliver power.

This requires the expense of gasoline for heating the engine, and lubricating oil. By the present invention the expense of time and gasoline tor bringing the engine up to normal operating temperature is substantially elimihated.

The device of the present invention operates without attendance and utilizes electricity, a more inexpensive This is eiected by a thermostat within the heater which cuts out when the lubricating oil reaches a predetermined temperature. Obviously, the instant invention may be used with engines having widely varying oil capacities, as the device is responsive only to the temperature of the oil.

Also, the device may be aixed to engines having various sizes and crankcases. This is accomplished by using a single depending bracket along which the heater may be secured at a selected point. The bracket portion below :the heater is severed to prevent its engagement with snow,

ice or other road obstruction.

As the heater is held against the side wall of the crankcase and no part of the device is below the crankcase, there is no danger of the device being ripped ott by a road obstruction or interfering with maintenance of the engine. Y

Furthermore, the heater is shaped to have surfacecontact with the crankcase side Wall to most efciently utilize the generated heat.

The unit, in accordance with the invention, is designed for simple mechanical attachment, which necessitates rItie e bolt iixedly secures to the engine the upper end of a resilient bracket which holds the casing against the side vwall of an oil pan. l Y

As oil `pans vary in depth, the bracket slidably re- States Patent O Patentedv Dec. 28, l1954 ICC p ceived in a channel on the heater casing, and a bolt or other fastener holds the heater casing at the desired position on the bracket.

Still another advantage of the present invention lies in the eciency of heat conduction and the resultant operating economies. The heating element bears against the wall of the casing which contacts the oil pan and is insulated on its other side to prevent heat from escaping.

However, some heat will escape, and if the heater is placed near the starter and distributor, the formation thereon of ice will be prevented by the escaping heat.

A further object of the present invention is to prevent the entry of dirt, dust and oil into the heating element and thermostat by sealing the casing. The casing is formed in two parts with a heat resistant seal therebetween, and the wiring outlet is 'also provided with a heat resistant seal, such seals serving the additional function of directing the heat toward'the engine.

Thus, the device is a completely sealed unit, and the surfaces exposed during operation are relatively cool so that there is no likelihood of lire.

Under certain conditions, as with vehicles having automatic transmissions and fluid drives, the device may be attached to the transmission for heating the fluid therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heater for vehicle engines which conformably engages the side wall of an oil pan to effect maximum heat transmission into the engine.

Yet another object of the present invention is to pro# vide a simple and eicient means for resiliently holding a heater against an oil pan, which means permits the heater to be selectively positioned in relation to the oil pan and is adapted for use with various sizes of oil pans.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a heater for vehicle engines which requires a minimum amount of power for heating the engine and its lubricant.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a heater of the type described which is simple and durable, which is eiective for its intended purposes and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following speciication and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form 'a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown vari-k ous illustrative embodiments of this invention:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of an engine block, a crankcase oil pan, and a transmission housing, and shows a heater embodying the invention and fixed in place;

F Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of ig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a heater constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 4 is af'sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the heater detached from the mounting bracket.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts, the engine of a vehicle is generally designated 10, and is provided with an attached heating device 11 which embodies the present invention. The engine 10 includes a cylinder block 12, a crankcase oil pan 13 secured below the block, and a transmission housing 14 rearwardly of the block and oil pan.

The oil pan 13 is provided with a well 15 for collecting oil, designated 16, the well being formed with a bottom wall 1'7, and a side wall 18, best seen in Fig. 2. Adjacent the upper edge of oil pan side wall 18 and extend` ing therealong is a laterally outwardly extending flange 19 which is provided with a series of spaced apertures 20. The oil pan 13 is arranged below block 12 so that ange 19 underlies a flange 25 which is formed on the block and provided v'with a plurality of threaded apertures 20.

Intermediatethe flanges-.19 and'25 is disposed afgasket 27,

and a plurality of bolts 28rextend through ilange 19, ga'sket 27 and into ange 251 for securing the oil pan 1n place and, sealing, the toilI therein.

. tion of the conventional structure is required for attachment of the heatingl device 11. 1t is only necessary to remove and replace a single one of the bolts 28, as will be further described hereinafter.

The heating device 11,-embodying the present invention, comprises: an elongated casing 30 which is fabricated of complementalicasing sections 31 and 32. The section 31-is formed .of aplate 33 having parallel spaced side'edges34, rounded end edges 35, and a depressed portion 36 whichprovides a longitudinally extending recess 37 spaced inwardly from the side and end edges 34 and 35, respectively. Adjacent one end of the portion 36 is an aperture 3S, for'. apurpose to be hereinafter described.

The casing section 32 is formed of an elongated plate 39 which is transversely curved, as shown in Fig. 5, and provided with. an upstanding peripheral wall .40. On the wall V40 and coextensive therewith is an inturned ange. 41 .in facing spaced relation with respect to the adjacent portion-of plate 39. The ange 41, wall 4t) and plate 39 combine to form an inwardly peripheral groove forthe `reception of the side and end edges 34 and 35, respectively, of the plate. 33. Within the groove and spacing .the Vplate.33 from the flange 41, wall 40 and plate 39 is a seal or gasket Y42 which is Lit-shaped in section and preferably fabricated of asbestos or other heat resistant material. As the casing section 32 is conformably shaped for surface contact with the side wall 18 of oil pan 13, and is constructed of a highly conductive material, such as metal, and, as the casing section 31 is insulated from .thecasing section 32 by the seal 42, it is seen that heat or other..insulatingmaterialJfThis serves to further direct Also disposed withinA the recess- 37A .of casing 30 adjacent the aperture `38isa thermostat 60 having a base 61 which is. fabricated of non-conducting plastic or other suitablematerial; and. which issecured rto plate 39 by threaded fasteners 62,62. .\Mounte don the base 61 is a contact. post'v 63. .provided withaV nut 64 for securing wires 547 .and..'65 tothe post. yA heat sensitive element 66 which may be. a bimetal or. trimetall resilient strip has one end xedly secured by a rivet 67 to the bight portion of Ufshaped member 68. The U-shaped member 68 is substantiallyrigidand. is..x'edly secured to posts 69 and 7G in spaced relation with respect to the base. An oppositely disposedU-shaped Vmember 71 is fabricated of resilient material and has its free ends secured to the posts 69 and .70. On theunderside` of the bight portion vof U-shaped member 71 is a contact 72 which moves with the bight portion into and out of engagement with the wire terminal contact .73 for wirer48. Intermediate .and engaging the. freefendof strip u66 andthebightportionof Ushaped member 71 is acomp'ression `coilspring 74..V VAs the heat sensitive' strip 66.movesitoward'and away from base 61 in response' to .temperature changes, the

lUsshapedelement`71 will be" snapped inthe opposite di are held in a sheath 77 and conducted outwardly through A laperture38.- Invorder -to prevent dirtgdustand'moisture from entering the casing 30 through aperture 38, a seal 78 extends around the aperture and embraces the sheath 77. It has been found preferable to fabricate the seal 78 of rubber or other suitable material, and to form the seal with a U-shaped cross-section. The extending ends of wires 65 and 76 may :be provided with a plug 79 or other suitable means for connection to a source of electric power.

Intermediate and abutting the plate 39 and thermostat base 61 is a sheet 80 `fabricated of asbestos or other heat resistant material for insulating the thermostat from the oil pan.

It has been found in practice Vthat a 250 watt heating element, operable on 110 or 115 volts, either A. C. or D. C. current, will deliver the required heat most economically. The thermostat is adjusted to cut in when `the ambient temperature goes below llOF. andto cut out when the temperaturey ofthe heating element. reaches 400"F, This .will keep the oil -invthe oil'pan' .between 110`F. and 130 F., and maintain. theproperviscosity for optimum engine operation.

Exteriorly ofthecasing 30 onthe,depress`ed portion .36 is a transversely` extending channel.90 having a bottom wall 91 andspaced side walls or Vlips 92. The. channel may be secured adjacent lits lower end to casing section 31 by `tackweldingas aty 93, or other vsuitableameans and is provided with anjupwa'rdly extending portion, 94. The portion 94 Vis formed with a transverse aperture .95 extending through the bottom wall 91. Embracinglhe upper portion 94of bottom wall 91 is a U-shaped member' 96 having dependinglegs .97, and98 abutting opposite surfacesof the bottom wall. The legs 97 and 98 are lprovided with transverse apertures 99and 100 which register with each other. and with aperture for .receiving a threaded fastener .101. ,A plurality of projections 102 are spaced about aperture 100 for :firmly grasping the threaded .portion of.V fastener 101.

In orderto secure .theheater to the engine in a rm yet resilient manner, the bracket isprovided. A:The bracketis generally L-shaped having a'depending arm l1,11 and alaterallarm 112, and. is kfabricated of Vresilient metal orother suitable material. VThe lateral'arni 112 Vis provided'with an aperture 1'13 which is adapted 5to register with aperture 20V 'whenthe lateralarm isV arranged abutting' the underside of Harige 19. Thus, -theheadbf bolt 28 will firmly.. holdV the-lateral arm 112,.against the `flange 19.

The depending arm .111 of bracket 110.is of a width y to conformably engagein channel 90i and is Aprovided Vchannel walls 92 guide the casing 30 and prevent rotation of the casing relative to the-depending arm,r 111. The fastener'is inserted throughV theseleCted aperture. .115, and thejapertures .95, 99.and. 100 and the fastener V.head

t tightened against the arm 111 for fixed securementto Vthe latter. the .apertures 115 are elongated,Y a `further amount of adjustment is possible after selection .ofthe "aperture 115 and, of course,;the device vispshiftable longitudinally of the oil pan by utilizing a dierent onezof the bolts 28.

l While it -hasbeen found preferable ,to -positiorrlthe heater' adjacent to :the oil pan well 15, ltheheatergpmay be positioned adjacentranother portion of .the .oil-@pan or adjacent the transmission, asdesired. z Under .certain circumstances it may be .necessaryxto moveithe heater to dilferent locations inorderatothin outer break` up accumulations of sludge, etc.

The3bracket110-is constructedsothat Vthe casing'30 when attached to `thedependingarm.1111,1will be resiliently held against the oil pan by the arm. Thisi is so no matter what the. positionofthe casing along 4the arm.' lfl itv isfdesired to space the casing'from the`^lower end of arm 111, that portion of the arm belowjthecasing may be `severedvto avoid lit catching on an obstacle 'and to facilitate maintenance. When not in use'forinstance duringthe summer season, the casing andbracketrnay be quickly and easily removed'without disturbing other parts of the engine.

From the foregoing detailed description, itis rseen'gthat a 'device is 'provided whichr'accomplishesthe intended objects and which is adapted to operate under conditions of practical use.

Although the present invention has been described 1n some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modiiications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. A device for heating an engine comprising a casing adapted to engage said engine, a heating element within said casing, wiring extending from said heating element through and out of said casing for connection to a source of power, a thermostat within said casing and interposed in said wiring, and a bracket adapted to be secured to said engine for holding said casing in engagement with said engine, said casing being formed of two sections, one of said casing sections having an end Wall and four side walls joined therewith and extending perpendicular therefrom to form a hollow enclosure having an open end opposite said end wall, said side walls having outwardly directed flanges extending peripherally around said open end of said enclosure formed by said one casing section, the other casing section being in the form of a plate extending over said enclosure open end to cover the latter and having around its periphery a plurality of flanges each extending exteriorly around a respective one of said outwardly directed flanges on said one casing section and having an inturned flange portion, said inturned ange portions, said outwardly directed anges, and said plate being in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other with said outwardly directed ange portions extending between the respective inturned ange portions and the plate, and a U-shaped heat insulating member extending around each of said outwardly directed anges and within the spaces between the latter and said inturned ange portions and the plate, whereby said casing sections are insulated from each other, said bracket being connected to said rst section and said second section being shaped to conform to the engine surface and to abut thereagainst, and a sheet of insulating material between said end wall and said heating element.

2. An electric heater for heating an engine, comprising a casing having one wall adapted to conformably engage said engine, a heating element within said casing adjacent said one wall, a heat resistant plate intermediate said heating element and the opposite wall of said casing, wiring extending from said heating element through and out of said casing for connection to a source of power, a thermostat within said casing and interposed in.said wiring, and a bracket having one end secured to said casing and having the other end adapted to be secured to said engine for resiliently holding said casing in engagement with said engine, said casing being formed of two sections each having a respective one of said walls, said casing sections being held together in assembled relation by peripheral ange portions extending therearound, and insulating means contacting said ange portions and separating the flange portions of one section from the flange portions of the other section.

3. An electric heater for heating an engine, `comprising a casing having one wall adapted to coiformably engage said engine, a heating eleemnt within said casing adjacent said one wall, a heat resistant plate intermediate said heating element and the opposite wall of said casing, wiring extending from said heating element through and out of said casing for connection to a source of power, a thermostat within said casing and interposed in said wiring, and a bracket having one end secured to said casing and having the other end adapted to be secured to said engine for resiliently holding said casing in engagement with said engine, said bracket being fabricated of resilient material and having a depending arm, and means for securing the upper end of said arm to said engine, said casing being formed of two sections each having a respective one of said walls, said casing sections being held together in assembled relation by peripheral ange portions extending therearound, and insulating means contacting said ilange portions and separating the flange portions of one section from the flange portions of the other section.

4. In combination with an oil pan for an engine, having a bottom wall, side walls, and outwardly extending flanges at the upper ends of said side walls, a heater comprising a casing arranged exteriorly of said oil pan above the level of said bottom wall and having one w'all in surface contact with one side wall of said oil pan, a heater element within said casing adjacent said one wall thereof, wiring extending from said heater element through and out of said casing for connection to a source of power, a thermostat within said casing and interposed in said wiring, and a bracket adapted to be secured to said ange for holding said casing in surface contact with said one side wall of said oil pan, said casing being formed of two sections each having a respective one of said walls, said casing sections being held together in assembled relation by peripheral ange portions extending therearound, and insulating means contacting said ange portions and separating the ange portions of one section from the flange portions of the other section.

5. In combination with an oil pan for an engine, having a bottom wall, side walls, and outwardly extending flanges at the upper ends of said side walls, a heater comprising a casing arranged exteriorly of said oil pan above the level of said bottom wall, a heater element within said casing, wiring extending from said heater element through and out of said casing for connection to a source of power, a thermostat within said casing and interposed in said wiring, and a bracket adapted to be secured to said ange for holding said casing in surface contact with said one side wall of said oil pan, said bracket being fabricated of resilient material and having a depending arm, and means for securing said casing to said depending arm, said means comprising a channel on the opposite wall of said casing for receiving said depending arm, and a fastener for vsecuring said arm in said channel, said casing being formed of two sections, one of said casing sections having an end wall and four side walls joined therewith and extending perpendicular therefrom to form a hollow enclosure having an open end opposite said end wall, said side walls having outwardly directed anges extending peripherally around said open end of said enclosure formed by said one casing section, the other casing section being in the form of a plate extending over said enclosure open end to cover the latter and having around its periphery a plurality of flanges each extending exteriorly around a respective one of said outwardly directed flanges on said one casing section and having an inturned ange portion, said inturned ange portions, said outwardly directed anges, and said plate being in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other with said outwardly directed ange portions extending between the respective inturned flange portions and the plate, and a U-shaped heat insulating member extending around each of said outwardly directed flanges and within the spaces between the latter and said inturned flange portions and the plate, whereby said casing sections are insulated from each other, said plate being in surface Contact with one side wall of said oil pan, and a sheet of insulating material between said end wall and said heater element, the latter being in heat conducting relation to said plate.

6. In combination with an oil pan for an engine, having a bottom wall, side walls, and outwardly extending ilanges at the upper ends of said side walls, a heater comprising a casing arranged exteriorly of said oil pan above the level of said bottom wall, a heater element within said casing, wiring extending from said heater element through and out of said casing for connection to a source of power, a thermostat within said casing and interposed in said wiring, and a bracket adapted to be secured to said flange for holding said casing in surface contact with said one side wall of said oil pan, said bracket being fabricated of resilient material and having a depending arm, and means for securing said casing to said depending arm, said means comprising a channel on the opposite wall of said casing for slidably receiving said depending arm, and fastener means extending through said channel to said arm for securing said casing at a selected position along said arm, said casing being formed of two sections, one of said casing sections having an end wall and four side walls joined therewith and extending perpendicular therefrom to form a hollow enclosure having an open end opposite said end wall, said side walls having outwardly directed anges extending peripherally around said open end of said eni' v i r '7 closure ,formed V.by ysaid .one icasing vsection, the lother casngilsectiyonbeingzin the :form of :aplate extending over said tenclosure. open `end to Vcover theV .latter land ihaving.around :its periphery a plurality of Y,anges each Vextending -exterioi1y around; a respective one of said .outwardlyfdirec'ted ianges` on said one Vcasing section and having an inturned allgeportion, said intnrned flange portions, y`said -outwardly directed flanges, and said `plate being in -spaced parallel relation with respect `to `each other with said outwardly directed angeportions extending 'between the respective inturnedange portions and ,the plate, and a U-shaped heat-,insulating member extending around each of saidotitwaifdly directed flanges and within the spaces ,between ythe latter and isaid inturnedange .portions .and gtheplate, whereby .said casing 15 5 conducting 'relation to said plate.,

References Cited in the/le of` this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 1,745,711 Raetz Feb. 4, 1930 1,781,412 Slichter Nov. 11, 1930 2,475,989 vRonning July 12, 1949 2,530,457 Freed Nov. 21, 1950 

